WHAT'S NEW

As the month of March comes to a close, so too does #1VolunTeam. USA Swimming has been proud to highlight and support our countless volunteers across the country that help make our sport the best it can be for all that are involved.

Native Americans make up just 0.18 percent of USA Swimming members. The head age group coach for King Marlins Swim Club in Oklahoma City, Kathy Mendez, found this troubling and took the initiative to do something about it by creating the Native American Swim Weekend.

We received nominations for so many amazing volunteers from around the country and it was hard to choose just one. However, we excited to announce Francis Balmaceda from Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics as our #1VolunTeam Concessions Connoisseur Award winner.

Six members of the USA Swimming National Team are among the open-water-swimming standouts expected to compete at the second-annual Crippen Cup 10-kilometer Marathon Invitational, set for Saturday in Fort Myers, Florida.

Every week in this new series, I will dissect a word, term, or phrase of "Swim Speak." This is geared for new swim parents who are baffled and/or confused by the weird little culture within the chlorinated confines of the pool. The "Wednesday Word" is intended to be humorous with a small iota of actual information. Enjoy.

Here are some of the responses we received from swimming volunteers across the nation on what they thought was the most rewarding part of being a volunteer. Tell us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter what you find most rewarding with the hashtag #1VolunTeam.

Nothing like a 100 record and making history for Sugar Land, Texas native and Stanford standout Simone Manuel at NCAAs over the weekend. She talks about that and more in this 20 Question Tuesday Extra.

Natalie Hinds is making history. The Midland, Texas, native and University of Florida All-American joined Stanford’s Simone Manuel and Lia Neal for a 1-2-3 finish at NCAAs in the 100 free last weekend.

Kara Lynn Joyce Williamson knows that her many years in the sport have given her multiple life rewards, great friendships, discipline and a tremendous confidence in whatever path she takes in the future.

Everything you have heard about SXSW in Austin, Texas, is true. We had the chance to attend for the first time. We wanted to share our observations and some of the top trends, primarily through the sports organization lens.

Every week, I will dissect a word, term, or phrase of "Swim Speak." This is for new swim parents who are baffled and/or confused by the weird little culture within the chlorinated confines of the pool.

SWIM CLUBS: THE BACKBONE OF USA SWIMMING

Swim Clubs are the foundation of USA Swimming and years of success are a direct result of our club system. Clubs give swimmers their very first swim team experiences and train our current and future Olympians.

As a benefit of membership, USA Swimming provides a variety resources to our clubs. From starting a club to keeping it thriving, the club programs and services are invaluable to building and maintaining a successful club.

Promote Your Club with LivingSocial

USA Swimming has partnered with LivingSocial to promote the Swim Today.org campaign and drive prospective members and students to your programs through targeted family offers during the Olympic Games. Click here to listen to this short, recorded webinar to find out how to participate.

Featured Presentation

Shallow Water Blackout

Bob Bowman is best known for coaching the 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. Together with Cathy Bennett he discusses the very serious topic of Shallow Water Blackout. Even experienced athletes can become a victim of this tragic phenomenon where oxygen is deprived from a swimmer's system during practice which can lead to drowning. This insightful presentation will help to prepare even highly experienced coaches to provide a safer environment for their swimmers. Please visit ASCA Online Education today to view this free presentation and to browse their growing variety of educational topics.

SWIM TODAY Recorded Webinar - Step-by-Step Instructions

As USA Swimming launches its Swim Today national recruiting campaign, preferred providerTeamUnify has created a free, self-service tool that will allow al USA Swimming member clubs to capitalize on the attention surrounding swimming this summer. Through the partnership, TeamUnify is offering all USA Swimming member clubs free online tools to efficiently capture and organize leads and recruit new swimmers.

Click here for the recorded webinar giving you step-by-step instructions on how to set it up.

SEARCH FOR A CLUB

Find a USA Swimming Club near you and dive into the world of competitive swimming for fun, friends and exclusive member benefits.

Find an Apparel Provider for your Team

Club Marketing

Living Social Partnership

USA Swimming has created a unique opportunity for clubs to market to thousands of local parents through popular deal-of-the-day service, Living Social. Designed to help your club capitalize on the Olympic excitement, we've got a direct line to promotion! Click below to learn about how your club can benefit.

Mandatory Pre-Employment Screening Information

At the 2010 U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention, the USA Swimming House of Delegates approved a series of rules regarding the Athlete Protection Program. One of these measures was Article 502.6.8 which requires clubs to comply with USA Swimming’s Pre-Employment Screening program.

Help Your Club Perform Better…Out of the Water

Training for Boards

Have your club leaders attended a Club Leadership and Business Management Seminar? This workshop for coaches, board members and club leaders is geared toward teaching club leaders how to run the club more effectively and efficiently. Topics include mission and vision, roles and responsibilities, finances, evaluation and customer service.

Do You Know Your Sport Development Consultant?

Free service to member Clubs

Through discussions and/or formal presentations, consultants identify appropriate USA Swimming programming and its utilization, including board governance, Club Leadership/Business Management Schools, and parent and coach education. And its all FREE!!

EDUCATIONAL FEATURE

New Insurance Provider Enhances Coverage

USA Swimming is happy to share some exciting news regarding changes to its liability insurance coverage. These changes will provide up to more than 10 times the insurance coverage previously offered to clubs at no additional cost to USA Swimming or its member clubs.